The Washington Commanders won't have one of their best defenders for the Week 11 game against the Miami Dolphins.
Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne was ejected from the Week 10 contest versus the Detroit Lions after he was caught punching Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown in the second quarter.
We knew Payne would face a fine, but it wasn't clear if he would get suspended. We now have our answer.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the NFL is suspending Payne one game for his actions on Sunday.
"Commanders DL Daron Payne has been suspended 1 game for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct against the Lions," Rapoport reported.
It isn't clear if Payne intends to appeal.
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Why Daron Payne punched Amon-Ra St. Brown
After the game, Commanders defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw said Payne punched St. Brown because the Lions wideout hit him first and Payne was simply retaliating.
"Yeah, for sure, and they (saw it), too," Kinlaw said of St. Brown's punch. "It's some bulls—. 100 percent. Daron retaliated. The refs literally saw the first punch. I don't blame him for the way he reacted. Tempers got to flaring."
We haven't seen any video evidence of St. Brown throwing a punch, although there is clear video of Payne throwing (and landing) his.
It was a costly blunder for Payne, as the Commanders' defense was already in a bad way, even with one of its best players.
Now, Washington will have to overcome his absence in Week 11, assuming Payne doesn't win an appeal.
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